Olamide Ehinfun-Adekunle has achieved a significant milestone in her legal career, becoming Nigeria's youngest female Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the age of 40. She was among 68 legal practitioners sworn in as SANs on October 12, 2026, by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. This achievement marks a notable accomplishment for women pursuing careers in law.
Ehinfun-Adekunle's journey to becoming a SAN began with her admission to the Obafemi Awolowo University law school in 2003, where she studied law until 2009. She then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, completing her legal training in 2010. Her academic pursuits continued with a Master of Laws degree in International Trade Law from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom between 2011 and 2012.
Before joining Afe Babalola & Co. in September 2013, Ehinfun-Adekunle worked at D. D. Dodo & Co. and the Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organisation. Her areas of practice include complex litigation, commercial dispute resolution, oil and gas, arbitration, election petitions, transactional law, and regulatory compliance. She has also appeared before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Ehinfun-Adekunle's interest in law developed during her childhood, influenced by her parents, who described her as talkative, and stories about politics in the old Western Region and the legal career of Chief Rotimi Williams. Several legal practitioners, including Aare Afe Babalola, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, and Pastor R. A. Ogunwole, have also influenced her career.
Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has publicly celebrated Ehinfun-Adekunle's achievement, describing her as his mentee. Born on June 25, 1986, in Kaduna State, Ehinfun-Adekunle hails from Ijero-Ekiti in Ekiti State. Her elevation to SAN marks a significant milestone in a legal career spanning more than a decade.
Beyond her professional milestone, Ehinfun-Adekunle has spoken about challenges facing Nigeria's justice system, particularly delays in court proceedings and the financial burden prolonged litigation places on individuals and businesses. She has called for reforms, including judicial financial autonomy, specialised commercial courts, and measures to reduce the Supreme Court's workload.
Ehinfun-Adekunle's achievement places her among the country's most distinguished legal practitioners and marks a notable achievement for women pursuing careers in law. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, she has highlighted the responsibilities that come with the rank, including professional conduct, mentoring younger lawyers, defending justice, and maintaining high standards within the legal profession.
Key points
- Olamide Ehinfun-Adekunle becomes Nigeria's youngest female Senior Advocate of Nigeria at 40.
- She was sworn in on October 12, 2026, among 68 legal practitioners.
- Ehinfun-Adekunle has called for reforms to address delays and improve access to justice in Nigeria.
